About 11.9 per cent of Bangladesh's population is undernourished, 23.6 per cent of children under five are stunted, and 11.0 per cent are wasted, the Global Hunger Index 2024 reveals.
Global Hunger has released its report on Wednesday at Sheraton Dhaka, stressing the need for accelerated efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of zero hunger. It also highlights the ongoing challenges in combating food insecurity and malnutrition in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh's GHI score of 19.4 places the country in the "moderate" hunger category, ranking 84th out of 127 countries. The score reflects the values of four key indicators: undernourishment, child mortality, child wasting, and child stunting, the report said.
The event, themed "Towards Zero Hunger: Challenges and Way Forward," was jointly organised by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe. Farida Akhter, adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, attended as the chief guest.
There are 5 levels of GHI such as low (<9.9), Moderate (10-19.9), serious (20-34.9), alarming (35-49.9) and extremely alarming (>50). In 2000 GHI score of Bangladesh was 33.8, in 2008 was 30.6, in 2016 was 24.7.
Bangladesh's journey from a score of 33.8 in 2000 to 19.4 in 2024 signifies progress but also calls for accelerated efforts to secure food security and eliminate hunger.
While progress is evident-down from a score of 33.8 in 2000-the current pace remains insufficient to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger).
During her speech the Adviser emphasised self-sufficiency and food safety, saying, "We cannot satisfy our hunger by bringing food from outside. That is why we have to produce our own food. However, food safety must be ensured because people are falling ill due to unsafe food. Being free from hunger is of no use if the food is not safe."
Dr Michal Krejza, Head of Development Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh, attended as the Guest of Honour.
The GHI report highlights the enduring challenges posed by hunger, particularly in regions struggling with climate change and gender inequality. While global hunger levels have declined incrementally, the pace of progress is inadequate to meet global commitments.
